
Layovers - Air Travel podcast (Paul Papadimitriou)
Explore every episode of Layovers - Air Travel podcast
Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
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22 Nov 2022 | 121 JED — Flying to Saudi Arabia to see AlUla, Jeddah airport aquarium, Emirates cost cutting, desert driving, Indy travel philosophy | 01:50:28 | |
"What are you going to Saudi Arabia for?" asked the puzzled flight attendant — Paul was flying to Jeddah, to then drive 8 hours, to reach one of the places of his dreams: the Nabataeans tombs of Al-'Ula. From sand to copper, the massive new Jeddah terminal is impressive, and big, and really big, and has the highest airport tower in the world, and they even built an …aquarium (!?) No champagne, broken seat and flimsy IFE — is Emirates still what it used to be? (Yes, and no). An X never marks the spot, how travel is about dealing with ambiguity too (and …“we named the dog Indiana”). (Yes, we talk about the World Cup too) — | |||
18 Aug 2023 | 131 NRT - The Amazing Zipair Race from London to California to Tokyo to Osaka and back | 02:12:30 | |
Combini, tamago sando, Skyliner, vending machines, ekiben, baseball Suica cards, yes we discuss Japan, where Alex was earlier this summer. A new acronym for BA, Belated Airways (are they ever on time these days?). JAL used to advertise: we don’t economize in economy, so what about their long haul low cost ZipAir, the “new basic airline”, do they economize? And would you ditch your luggage completely, and rent your clothes at destination, for the duration of your trip? Jerks being jerks, but, really, do you need to complain for hours to no end (aka, the rise of disruptive passengers, Alex had one, could have been two). ANA domestic is like flying United in the 90s, golf highlights included, only announcing turbulences are coming in exactly 30 seconds. Would you rather be clocking in and out of lounges, max duration 30 minutes, or looking at nothing but the Pacific for 10 hours? The beer robot at lounges, the perfect good bye to Japan (or is it the soothing sound of Live ATC?). The two dings, the ominous two dings, they will make robots of people. — | |||
29 Apr 2022 | 114 UVF — Losing Virgin(ity) from sunset to sunrise, SLU, Airbus Ecureuil, ever late 777X, who pilots Air France? | 02:04:56 | |
From sunset to sunrise: Virgin Atlantic to the Caribbean and back, Paul is finally no longer a Virgin virgin. Flying from SLU over St Lucia, its Pitons, in an Airbus Helicopter (well, Aerosptiale). The (mysterious) Cathay white liveries. The 777X is delayed for the 500th time. Who's flying the Air France 777? Also, Paul has an echo, Alex has trees being trimmed — just pretend those sound artefacts are aircraft engines :-) — | |||
08 Jul 2022 | 117 VLC - Summer of discontent, Alitalia hit-and-run, AirTag anxiety, A380 comeback, so long Comair, Vuelinggedon | 01:58:36 | |
Alex lives and sweats the travel chaos, trying to get to Valencia with Vueling (what was he thinking?!) with an epic (FAIL) journey that ended up with Easyjet saving the day. Paul develops some Apple AirTag anxiety. The A380 is back with a vengeance, though Tim Clark wishes he had a two-engine 380, or a 350-2000, or anything BIG (meanwhile his ticket prices are soaring faster than aircrafts). COVID is kinda back too (it never left) but the travel world won't use that C-word to not jinx it all. Alitalia pilots mistake JFK for Naples at rush hour. No more BA livery in South Africa after the demise of Comair, but BA has more issues to think about for now (ground personnel strikes, fuel delivery strikes, and more strikes, on top of staff shortages). Also, in which country is Corsica? — | |||
07 Dec 2019 | 101 HAN - Emirates plans, Vietnam meat, Miles & Less, Aeromexico noise, Norwegian LHR coup | 01:41:02 | |
Flight 101. Everything you wanted to know about Emirates future. Vietnam Airlines has pizza, 350s, 20 million fines and some undefined (but good) meat. The 777X wings are automated. Lufthansa mulls rebranding its program Miles & Less (meaning, the new program rules are stupid). Aeromexico noise, can it be damped by the PowerBeats Pro (or pretending to be on the phone to enter the DXB First Class lounges?). KUL was hacked (they say they haven't, but come on…) time to call BA's IT department :-)). Seeing Ha Long Bay with a Cessna Gran Caravan hybrid seaplane (hint: Paul fell in love in Vietnam). 400000 miles for a cat. Carbon taxes are becoming a trend. Berlin has an opening date (YEAH RIGHT). Norwegian lands at Heathrow, or is it JetBlue? Catch me if you can at DEL. Quote of the month: being dragged in a washing machine backwards.
—
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27 Apr 2023 | 127 JFK T8 - Mint Studio wow, airfare inflation, BEY dual time, increased turbulences, why do you go to a lounge? | 01:59:12 | |
Alex gets lost at JFK T8, only to encounter crazy turbulences over the Atlantic (a future worsening trend). But how did he get there? Finally testing what Paul did in 2021, the Mint Studio — a hope for the future of long haul narrow bodies. Airfare prices are way up from 2019 (more than inflation!), is that temporary, or what prices will be, and should always have been (that's the opinion of AirAsia's founder), so, please, JetBlue, don't Norwegian it! When you call BA, you will get quoted different fees and taxes every time, just keep calling (but who calls in 2023??). Also, DO YOU KNOW WHAT AIRLINE YOU WORK FOR? Our proposal: play musical chairs in lounges and every five minutes, you have to get up and give somebody else your seat (just keep the ceiling intact, unlike in Paul's sound studio). — | |||
30 Sep 2023 | 132 BLQ - Finnair hippos, IST hugeness, fast track lounge, Super NES passport, Midfield Tom Cruise run | 01:49:32 | |
Paul tries multiple Italian airports, Alex finally visits the new Istanbul (and flies Turkish for the first time!). The passport blowing border official trick (it doesn't work better than the Super NES cartridge blowing). BA will soon introduce water bottles the size of mini bar vodkas (at least it seems so). The Magical Finnish hippos, another first in a long line of firsts by Finnair. The perma-scaffolding of a rather joyful Birmingham airport. Italian really do duty free differently (from currency to cars). Alex visits what is easily the biggest third party lounge he's ever seen in his life. Tom Cruise runs over the new Midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi (and of course, WE ARE TOP GUN MAVERICK). When the fast track is in the lounge. Creatively naming the airline Wifi (send us your favorites). Imperial Airways lives on (on the IFE). Luton LOL. Do airlines realize people usually need to have a bag when they fly? Are Ryanair pilots of drinking age? Don’t ask Apple Maps for Bologna Airport. — | |||
22 Oct 2023 | 133 ALA - Bundling the unbundling, Condor Brewdog, BER secret door, overhead bin booking, inaugural JetBlue, LH sneakers, with Alex Vukolova | 01:51:40 | |
So small, cozy, cute, a very special airport, that was Tegel, not BER: can the finally (nearly) finished Berlin Brandenburg measure up to the "poor but sexy" German capital? At least the cleverly named lounges have an even cleverer backdoor (and, hey, it's not a poor bus station like Schoenfeld). Bundling the unbundling: a (great) rant by Alex (Hunter, but Vukolova chimes in, and Paul got confused having two Alex on the show).
You should follow Alex on LinkedIn (she posts great avgeek stuff!): http://linkedin.com/in/alexandravukolova On Instagram (Paul messed up her username all this time!!): https://www.instagram.com/avixalex/ Give a listen to her aviation podcast, Sky Lounge: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/sky-lounge-podcast/id1678045129 And here's the Ladies Beyond Flying group she mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12451302 (See, there are links in our show notes for once). See you in the next one! Happy flying!
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14 Dec 2024 | 142 KTM - From Ukraine to Nepal, war zone and sky trails | 02:24:35 | |
Two tales of adventurous (and at time turbulent) travels: Paul embarks on a long train ride to Ukraine, while Alex soars above the Himalayas. One ventures into the heart of a conflict-stricken Kyiv, the other navigates the heights of Annapurna aboard a Ukrainian-built plane. A blend of sobering exhilaration and uplifting challenges that come when traveling in unique and sometimes demanding circumstances — we were both taught lessons in resilience and perspective. This could very well be our favorite episode ever. — | |||
29 Sep 2021 | 111 LIH - Touring the US in the pandemic-ish era, the MAX is back, the recovery not yet | 01:41:30 | |
Alex tours the US, from Denver to San Francisco to Las Vegas to Oakland to Hawaii, and gets to experience his first 737MAX, and the Great Pacific (aka lyrically talking about ZOA KZAK Oakland Air Route Traffic Control Center). We discuss the state of travel in this weird era, not yet post-Covid, still pandemic-ish but not yet endemic, a weird middle where international flying is depressed, but with clearer skies ahead for some. We're back (again!), still in a live format, thanks everyone for your kind comments since our last recording, you're the BEST! We mentioned Sherpa, the tool to learn about travel restriction: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions — | |||
28 Apr 2021 | 108 WFH - We Meet Again | 01:44:02 | |
Paul and Alex meet again. They haven't seen each other in a year.
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12 May 2022 | 115 RTW - Mark Vanhoenacker: Imagine a City, a (787) Pilot Sees the World | 02:10:15 | |
A Round the World conversation with our friend Mark Vanhoenacker for the launch of his new book 'Imagine a City, A Pilot Sees the World', a sequel to 'Skyfaring'. We also go through some fire alarm (thrice) and decide to stay put, after all, it had been 2.5 years Alex and Paul hadn't seen each other in person, and nearly 5 (!) years since we had last had a beer with Mark (yes, we went to a pub after this recording). Learn more about the Imagine A City on Mark's website: http://markvanhoenacker.com/imagine-a-city And buy the book on Amazon, Waterstones and in any good bookstore — it's a must for travelers, we both can attest to that! (US friends, you'll have to wait until July 2022!). Listen to our previous conversations with Mark: 060 to Nairobi NBO And follow Mark on Twitter: @markv747 See in our next episode, whenever that is (Alex goes to Medellin, Paul to Karachi, Lahore, and Corsica, but 116 MDE it will be, PAUL IS VERY JEALOUS). — | |||
28 Sep 2022 | 119 KHI — Flying in and around Pakistan, Queen NOTAMs, Japan rush, United x Emirates, ticket inflation, Virgin plusgrade, Argo escape | 02:05:43 | |
Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, three cities, three cultures, and three airports that correspond them well — Paul flies in and around Pakistan (flying out was not a given on one of those trips!). The retro liveries of PIA and QR. Japan opens up on October 11th, ticket prices skyrocket, also as the USD rises against pretty much every other currency, making flying more expensive to many. The NOTAMs for the Queen passing (LGW went full radio silent!). United and Emirates integrate, and Virgin finally joins SkyTeam. Alex gets plusgraded to Upper Class (just after a status match, HOW DOES HE DO IT?!) — | |||
15 Dec 2022 | 122 FLR — Joyful Norse, Doha Changi Gardens, in-flight 5G, A380 returns, Avios loot boxes, limitless UK liquids, nacho cheese lounge | 02:06:18 | |
Alex has a joyful experience to Oslo with Norse Atlantic Airways (he flies to Stockholm too, the Nordics know how to handle snow, whilst the UK clearly doesn't). Finland sees record traffic to meet Santa Claus, whilst Air Greenland celebrates a new 330neo. France says NO short haul flights, the EU says YES to mobile networks in flight, the UK says NO MORE to liquid security limits. Doha opens a massive new airport garden, says Singapore stole their idea. Can someone remember Florence Airport, or Pisa Airport, for us? (The Pisa lounge is miserable, no need to tell Paul). Is there a fast track trick at Heathrow transfers? The revolution: a lounge with a nacho cheese dispenser!! (We covered Oslo OSL in episode 032, and Stockholm ARN in episode 99) — | |||
02 Jun 2023 | 128 AUH - Etihad 2.0, Midfield mirage, Swiss cheeseboard, 40000ft silent floating, Louis Vuitton lounging | 02:00:41 | |
Do you have a number? The saga of Alex trying to beat boarding time at Lisbon (you won't believe he, of all people, made that mistake). A completely charming SWISS cheese board on-board (and cows in the Zurich airport train). Etihad 2.0 are quietly great, a tasteful experience we appreciate (and flying over the Arabian Gulf is a sight to be seen), plus they're now about making money (err, shouldn't it have been the case since the start?). The "Etihad Lounge, The House of the Name of the House of the Lounge of Etihad and Other Airlines that are associated with us, but not really, and we are a good lounge, Lounge" is no more, but Alex isn't sure where he was anyway. A prescient Careem driver takes Alex to the Midfield Terminal, a mirage in a Star Wars movie (will it finally open this December??), but for the moment, the 1970s airport stays your only choice (T3 was opened in 2009, but feels way older). Saudi Arabia is launching a second flag carrier, and another airline, and expansion of airports, and like wow. Floating at 40'000 feet in silence (but with Flightradar). A new A380 UK-based carrier, are they for real? A lounge within a lounge, but it's Louis Vuitton. Super Mario Bros Warp Zones in Madrid. — | |||
03 Nov 2019 | 100 LON - Thank you everyone for being such great listeners, happy 100 to you all! | 01:33:59 | |
Flight 100. To all of you, thank you so much for tuning in repeatedly, we couldn't have done any of this without your help, your feedback, your reviews, your comments, your corrections, your criticisms (and yes, Delta fans, we're again on your case in this episode haha), your photos and incredible stories you share back with us. Thank you whether you started listening last week or in 2015, whether you always listen, or just once in a while. Thank you as well for bearing with us between episode releases at times, we know we often test the limits of your patience ;-) Thank you also to all of you who came to say hi in airports, lounges, and planes, we always appreciate it (Alex will have his resting bitch face, Paul will have his stupid noise cancelling earbuds, but do come forward, we'll both smile and chat). Thank you for your enthusiasm and your friendship. We appreciate you. Much love to all from Alex and Paul. Happy flying <3—
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03 Jan 2025 | 143 LBG - De-icing YVR, from Air France panache to roomy Ryanair, the retro-future of CDG T1 & the Concorde | 02:16:10 | |
A European flying tour from North America, a symphony of alcohol (with two specific colors), a flight sim in an airport (well, nearly), the Paris Olympics from the inside (Paul is jealous), the alternative timeline of CDG T1 and Concorde (we want to switch to it!), an appreciation for Ryanair (nope, we're not in another timeline). getting sea sick whilst taxiing (included in your expensive ticket), the tiny ground dots of Charles de Gaulle and Zurich (bring them back!), the dark underground link between Orly and Luton (ok, not really, but you'll get it), the fabulous Musée de l'air et de l'espace at Le Bourget (does it get any better than this?) — Vinod is back (and not only for the insane Spotify numbers he brings along). Happy New Year everyone & Happy Flying! — | |||
13 May 2024 | 138 AUH - Chic new Abu Dhabi, all business BeOnd, MAX flying challenge, humane low cost, wireless lavatory IFE | 02:05:42 | |
It's Alex and Paul, and it's another Alex (you've met her in 133!). She tells us all about BeOnd, the new all business class airlines that flies ex-EasyJet (!) 319s (!) to get you to the Maldives (did she enjoy the plane more than the beach?!). Humane versus non-humane low cost carriers: a new definition for IATA? The MAX flying challenge, or how to overcome the unhealthy relationship with a plane. Airport design and signage, another potential unhealthy relationship (it shouldn't be that hard!). Backpack travel, the way to avoid being made to check your carry-on. Make airport buses great again: do not put stickers on windows, do not darken the windows too much (WE WANT TO SEE THE APRON VIEWS!). Wifi naming: has anyone who implemented them actually flown an aircraft? Etihad 3.0, a new growth chapter (there will be doors in the forthcoming EY business class, but Paul does not think doors are very necessary). The new AUH is gorgeous, and a success: was its design process so long thought that it led to some quirks though? (whilst the path to the Etihad lounge is awkward, the delicious design of the gates is a win!). Lavatories breaks with the airline wireless headphones (and PLEASE add green noise—rain and thunder—as a feature on IFEs!!!). Follow Alex on LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/alexandravukolova Listen to her podcast, Sky Lounge: Apple Podcasts, Spotify And since Paul mentions it, here's the very good Air Show podcast (weekly and short, the opposite of this pod haha): Apple Podcasts, Spotify See you in 2-3 weeks for another episode (hint: closer to where Paul has never been) — | |||
18 Feb 2023 | 125 CDG T2 - The 747 is forever, a London NY bridge at JFK T8, Air France lounge joie de vivre, 777 guillotine, the airport game | 02:10:29 | |
The airport you think is overrated, the airport you like, the airport you love, the airport you feel yourself in, the airport you need to visit — play the airport game with us (and feel free to tweet us your answers!). — | |||
19 Dec 2019 | 102 DFW - United Jedi Force, 380 misjudgment, coffee pan pan, BA door review, mad MAD, BLLegoland | 01:24:08 | |
Flight 102. Paul reviews the BA Club Suite (no door was hurt in the making of this podcast). Alex and the secrets of meeting rockstars in flight (mark them down!). The A380 misunderstanding: it should live on (and don't listen to the French, they just strike anyway). United will decide your fate: dark side or light side of the Force (United also ghost Force'd Munoz). Food pan pan, coffee pan pan, but chocolate delight (edible cup though?). BLLegoland. Paul kneels down in front of Madrid e-gates (they don't work) whilst Alex believes it being a social experiment: it's truly mad MAD (and a new fortress by IAG). Boeing will soon sell a negative number of planes. Hong Kong airlines lives to see another day, Avatar airlines might never be born (low-cost 744s, really?). Tim Clark has had enough of beta-testing aircrafts. DFW innovates, a lot, but it's still not sexy (Alex's posh voice however...)—
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16 Jan 2020 | 103 DEN - Fish, Chicken, Beef, Lasagna, the flavors of the airlines …and the lizards conspiracy | 01:41:31 | |
Flight 103. It's always fish, chicken, beef and lasagna, airplane food, airport food and more food: airline Christmas menus, First class samplings, FRA hunger games, fake meat, Air Yoshinoya. The healthiest US trays, the best global airline for your taste buds. The Bali pigs could lead to the next airline epidemic, its epicenter actually being US catering. From airline beers (yes) to jet lag powder drinks (nope). The lizards übermensch that took over the hidden bowels of Denver airport (and haunt United's lavatories).—
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02 Apr 2020 | 107 - A Golden Era of travel ends, another will rise | 01:56:30 | |
Flight 107. We might have been in a Golden Age of travel, and didn't see it — it's now time to reflect, and think about the next one, a different one, with perhaps more friction, and certainly some pain in the process. From the economical hurt, the airlines at risk, to the new borders to travel (green zones versus red zones of infection?), from health as the new visa to less interaction (more automation?), all the travel futures we might see. For now, we're in this together. The World won't stay closed. We will fix this. —
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14 Mar 2025 | 145 KUL - AF001 fragrance, long-haul family, blue liveries, Jewel bathtub plug, hidden runways, what is premium economy | 02:24:54 | |
What is it like to travel with a kid on long-haul journeys to Asia, from Singapore, to KL, to Taipei and more (and the secret bathrooms, which one would you choose?). AF001, the Air France fragrance (only the French!). Should KLM talk to Korean about the new livery? (And where is the red? LH kept a Pantone code at least). The runways hidden in plain sight (we have one in Singapore, one in Switzerland). CDG T1 (again) shortcomings — compare that to the magic of Singapore Changi and the big bathtub plug at Jewel (Changi, where no one can hear your child scream!). Is Air Canada better than JAL?! (not everything coming out of Japan has unicorn status, you know). What is premium economy (a slightly better economy, or a business class minus, no airline seem to agree). When should service happen on long-haul flights? (Bad timing is everything). What on Earth is going on at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (there's a lot of dust on that Aerotrain). We mentioned our friends at Plane Talking UK, here's how to listen/watch them Happy flying! — | |||
03 Jun 2024 | 139 YEG - From ground crew to flight attendant, via two pandemic Olympics: Vinod's AvGeek chronicles | 02:42:35 | |
Ever wondered about the life of a flight attendant (and ground crew)? This is the episode for you. Paul welcomes his good friend Vinod for an episode full of fun aviation and travel stories — a long episode, with the laughs taking quite some of that length. From Edmonton to Vancouver, via Calgary (and its keys!), the many airports he worked at (Paul still hasn't been to Canada), Martinair, British Airways, Air Berlin, or WestJet, amongst the many airlines he worked for (and in a world of crew camaraderie around the world, BA really seems like a big family). Is there something about the uniform that transcends trends? And Vinod's secret to treat cabin crew well (Paul is inspired). The experience of turbulences in the air (and yes, we discuss that fateful Singapore Airlines flight), but also the video game of driving a jet bridge. Can you get Covid from an aircraft wing: flying during the pandemic to (and working at) Tokyo 2020 (NRT, a game of chairs) and Beijing 2022 (PEK, calcifying under sanitizing spray). Does each airline have a specific smell, or is that a neurotic avgeek thing? (dried fish seems like a bad omen though). Vinod attempts to convince Paul that Frankfurt and Heathrow are great airports, and he nearly succeeds (his definition of LHR is just the best, and Paul softens on FRA), and we (kinda) agree on Singapore's carpet. And many more stories (Vinod's most memorable flights are quite something). Listen to Vinod Viswalingam's podcast (hosted along with the great Geoff Dahl), Seat 1A: Seat1A (website with more links)
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28 Feb 2020 | 105 DCA - Covid19, 787 raffle, LHR Volunteers, business+, Ben's Chili Bowl, with Elizabeth, Dan & Ed | 02:06:57 | |
Flight 105. Everything you wanted to know (or not know) about the coronavirus (aka Covid19, Sars2, or World War Z) and its short-term effects on the world of air travel — from the hassles to the precaution to think about. Followed by the fan episode, with longtime listeners Elizabeth, Ed & Dan. Two out of three agree FRA is a disaster (not Elizabeth haha). The Heathrow volunteer program. The battle of the travel apps (and the bizarre TripIt strategy, and UX, as Dan knows very well!). Do you want to win a Dreamliner? Can the BA 350 fly really long routes? SWISS introduces an airline …scent (WTF). American Google translate (and we were hosted at Google, thank you Ed!!!). Ed has seen the future: a robot barista! Someone's been at Southend airport (Elizabeth!). Is there such a thing as too close a livery between airlines? Business premium (no that's not First!) on the Lufthansa 777X. Saving private FlyBe. Willie Walsh leaves IAG. And more avgeekery! — | |||
22 Jul 2024 | 140 AKL - Everything flight planning, future fares, premium leisure growth, BA Fly no more, LHR T1 secret, the return of the 380? | 02:14:33 | |
What's next for the aviation industry? Everything you wanted to know about the intricacies of flight planning (choose your wind provider right!). Follow Hakan on X/Twitter: @LAFlyr Follow Paul on X/Twitter: @papadimitriou, Instagram: @papadimitriou Follow Layovers on X/Twitter: @lay_overs, Instagram: @lay_overs Layovers will return ;-) — | |||
31 Dec 2022 | 123 BRR — Flying the Concorde, visiting all the Concordes, accessing the Concorde Room, a Concorde episode with GGL Ed Parsons | 01:47:42 | |
Ed Parsons, the Google Maps guy, is our guest today. He's heard the Concorde prototype noise as a kid, flown on the Concorde before it got retired, explored all the Concordes in existence around the world since — a true fan — and we discuss it all, from the history to the conspiracy theories, to a certain nostalgia about a future that's now in the past. He is also a GGL, Gold Guest List, the (almost) top tier British Airways status, which gives him access to the exclusive Concorde Rooms (yes, there's more than one), and we learn about more the extra perks, whilst we discuss the not-exactly-great state of current BA, and Heathrow. Ed tells us about the many Air Shows he's toured (and photographed!), and of the amazing BRR beach airport (Otter it is, but no Maldives temperatures). Thank you SO MUCH, Ed! You can find Ed on: And check his photographs on: Thank you all for your graciousness in 2022, we love having you as listeners. — | |||
21 Jan 2023 | 124 LAX — In and out LAX, the rise of Turkish Airlines, frequent flyer free agents, airline consulting, LA celebrity handling, with Hakan aka LAFlyr | 01:46:21 | |
Friend of the show, and very long time listener (since episode 1!), Hakan Yılmaz, aka @LAFlyr on Twitter, grew up wanting to go early at the airport to see the planes, and collect avgeek paraphernalia, and never stopped being a kid, by still going early to the airport to see the planes, and a career that led him to American Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Atlas, etc., with millions of miles under his belt, and tons of stories to share — from the admirable rise of Turkish Airlines (fascinating SAS story on the invention of the hub and spoke model), to the celebrity stories at Virgin (do you carry money when traveling but nothing else? Or lots of LV luggage instead? Reach out to us!), from over-complicating airline operations (which airline is it, do you reckon?) to the uncomplicated life as loyalty programs free agents (the three of us are becoming so, though it's a mental fight to let go), we geek out and rant and laugh, we get the in and outs of LAX (that's Hakan's pun), and thank you all for still listening to us in 2023. Follow Hakan on Twitter: @LAFlyr — | |||
13 Mar 2020 | 106 OGG - The 2020 Virus Crash, the world is shutting down, keep healthy, cheer up, we will beat this (and, guys, that Kahului final will make you smile!) | 01:36:25 | |
Flight 106. The 2020 Virus Crash, the world is shutting down, no one is flying — this could become the biggest downturn ever in aviation history and perhaps the biggest global recession since World War II (we certainly do not hope so, we all need to beat this damn Covid-19!). Our thoughts are with all the people in the wider travel industry. Tons of airlines are now at risk around the globe, with bankruptcies and bailouts a certainty, following absolutely massive drops in demand, insane border closures (those are accelerating, and it's only the start), routes suspensions at an unprecedented scale, forced quarantines, fear and uncertainty. But hey, come on, we have good upbeat stories for you (airline bunk beds are a thing!), flight reviews (that turbulent landing!), and, as always, a good banter. Cheer up, keep healthy — we will get through this. — | |||
07 Oct 2024 | 141 OKA - When building a flying itinerary to Japan and beyond is like building a LEGO set | 01:51:22 | |
Alex tells us all about flying to Okinawa's Naha airport (via Tokyo), Hawaii (717s being flown like NYC cab drivers), the Philippines (that loop to Clarke airport), and more. We have one more Concorde to visit (next, a Millenium Falcon), we dream of Japanese airlines on-board experience (that "Italian" food, though?), we calculate the length of DXB concourses (it can be a long walk), we ponder the future of Manila airports (they'll end up with no less than THREE massive international airports), we wonder if selling guitars in an airport yields any results (Cebu has seen a lot of improvement though), we discuss legroom (bulkhead FTW), and admire Emirates' consistency (the new business class is the old business class?). Here's Ed Parsons photo store, check it out: https://store.edparsons.com More travels to come, more episodes to come (if Paul makes it back), but we won't promise when (SORRY!) Happy travels! — | |||
09 Mar 2023 | 126 MAD - Mad dash at MADrid, skip the JAL banana, BA/LHR chagrin, Lufthansa seat Tetris, Emirates is Apple | 02:02:17 | |
How is it we had never actually done MAD as an episode title? This ends today, however the mad MADrid dash from T4S to T4 never does. Alex has lots to say about BA and it's …not great (he's not alone to think like this). Paul calls it, the better London airport is definitively Gatwick (stop being a wannabe posh by preferring LHR). Lufthansa introduces a grand new First Class, and a super complex Tetris business class with 14+ options (Swiss introduces the same, but in bordeaux). Will Dolomiti be folded into ITA (the ever growing Lufthansa Group realm of the European skies). Emirates is the Apple of airlines, you might not love them but they offer incredible consistency at massive scale, truly admirable (DXB could do with a bit of a refresh though). You know what, you can fly the 747-400 to Palma (BE QUICK, BEFORE THE 744 ERA ENDS). We mentioned (and promised to link) those two:
See you again for 127, and, in the meanwhile, please give us any feedback on Twitter or Instagram (and Apple Podcasts if you're inclined to give us a nice review). — | |||
19 Jun 2023 | 129 GVA - Attaché bromance, Air Force Ones, 777X windows, fly with film, Covid weight, Vomit Pro, Brian Shul | 02:07:47 | |
We flew to Geneva to record an episode of Attaché (now on YouTube, link below), so how were our flights, and what did we think of the airport (the new C-Gates are excellent, the time at immigration not always). Does too much info add unnecessary travel stress? (Aka Flighty is Paul's IFE of choice in lounges). Is Covid wear and tear a thing? Some aircraft interiors look older than they should. Dublin airport can be frustrating, but it's pretty much forgiven when you can see one of the most famous airplanes in the world next to you. The 380 is an absolute winner in those times of constraints, the 777X could be too (come on, when???), but its new window dimming is what we'll have to settle for now. The new security machines are awesome, unless you shoot film (yes, you know, rolls of film in cameras, the youth won't know what we're talking about), and a photographer friend has some update on that front. Some LCY & Cityflyer love, but "that stupid goddamn piece of crap building that I'm sure is really important to the operation of the airport blocks the view" (HAHAHAHAHA). We both sing in unisson: BA is improving. Undercover flight attendant CEO, whilst Starlux's saves the day (but might get a fine). Did passengers gain weight during Covid? We have the answer (for Europe at least). Apple Vision Pro, the new IFE (Vomit Pro or not?). Remembering Brian Shul. Lots more stories, from Japan to terminal pubs (morning beer anyone?). And whilst we always forget to link stuff in those show notes, for sure go watch Attaché with Alex and Paul: — | |||
20 Jul 2023 | 130 MSP - Cheap travel and the hamster wheel of miles and status in the post-Covid devaluation times, with Kyle 'Hello Kitty' Potter | 01:49:20 | |
Kyle Potter, Executive Editor at Thrifty Traveler, all-around awesome(ly smart) dude, Hello Kitty enthusiast (well, it's that EVA Air flight, you'll see!), and (very) long time Layovers listener and friend, tells us all about why MSP is the best thing ever, like everything in Minnesota — but also whether cheap travel is still possible in the current era of airfare inflation (yes!), whether passenger rights will ever be a thing in the US (maybe), whether boarding groups will ever be abandoned (forget it). We debate the wilderness where having no status means real freedom (that status, the warm blanket you're sure you need, right?), the crazy valuations of US loyalty programs (and airlines wanted to spin them off? HOW WOULD THEY MAKE MONEY lol, it's as if they're banks that happen to own planes), the devaluation of those programs (non-travel Covid has something to do with it), the importance of alliances and joint ventures in the current air travel era. And yes, for once, we touch upon the world of air miles programs a bit more, and its nearly MLM-esque ecosystem in the USA. As Kyle is a Delta fan (and captive!), we ask him: Why are they so good (that padding!), and how is that new Delta One seat (hint: we're all aligning in saying doors aren't really something we value). Nearly two hours of great fun, whilst learning quite a bit (Alex and Paul learnt a lot). You can follow Kyle on Twitter (please do): His writings are on: Of note, he wrote about the EVA Air Hello Kitty flight he took here: and a great guide on how to find cheap travel via Google Flights: Layovers will return in August (when Alex does). — | |||
25 Aug 2022 | 118 LAP — Victorville overfly, 2bn Emirates refresh, Star losing Lufthansa, taxiing EWR for 9hrs, Windsor Suites, smuggling McMuffins | 01:58:16 | |
No, the other La Paz — the Southern/Baja California Alex Hunter 2022 Tour, with Megan as a VERY supporting avgeek act (aka Alex is the supporting act, Megan is the star, but you all knew that already). Emirates refreshes its fleet on a crazy tight clockwork upgrade schedule. Air France reveals its PORTE FRANCAISE* business seats (*French door). Lufthansa loses a star, and its general shine in a summer of strikes and chaos (those Philippines Airlines aircrafts won't be enough, guys). Don't try to smuggle McMuffins in Australia, even if you had to wait hours to no end in Bali. No more fuel after United taxies EWR for 9.5 hours (is that worse or better than Vueling?). Yes, yes, Paul knows, it was a 350 on the pic he posted on Instagram, not a Dreamliner (he's going to hear about this until the end of time, won't he?). — | |||
09 Jun 2021 | 110 SIN T4 - Vaccine tourism, supersonic Boom, Mi(g)nsk detour, Covid passports, plague terminal | 02:02:49 | |
Alex gets cancelled (not him, the flight!). Duty free to nowhere (and no good pricing anyway). No kidnap fee, a new product by Ryanair. Plague terminal at LHR. Amber, the color of confusion. Genomics quarantine. Digital health visas (aka Covid passports, what a silly name). The travel bubble that refuses to happen. BOOM, our supersonic hopes, the PR reality. The timing of corporate travel taking off. Chicken broth cocktail (try it!). Recorded live, no edits, with a pinch of static (but hey, adequate for an airplane-like PA experience). — | |||
22 Apr 2025 | 146 CUR - KLM timeline, Starlink is airborne, Doha First ceilings, Heathrow fire, UK ETA, bubbly for the pilot | 02:08:11 | |
Here's the trick on how to forget you don't have a window seat: spend an entire flight doing speed tests on Starlink. Another trick? How to actually get a mobile boarding pass on BA's ever-buggy app. When business becomes first, or the final trick to access the Al Safwa First Class lounge in Doha. KLM gives you a timeline of service on the IFE, and a LOT of (good) food. CDG T1 is the Circle of Doom, but there are views on the 11th floor if you can find it. Heathrow shuts down after a fire, earning its "operational challenges" nickname. The UK has introduced the electronic travel authorization (ETA), no questions asked. The bonus of not having doors in business class: the gossip, here whether a pilot should be allowed to drink champagne or not. The rather surreal experience of airport hotels, and the reset of coming back to commuter airports. Check-ins, touchdowns, unexpected connections, with turbulent weather and turbulent IT — Happy Flying! — | |||
07 Mar 2024 | 136 DXB - Vegan First Class, lounge bouncers, jet stream rush, intermittent flying fasting, improper JFK | 02:01:11 | |
Is Emirates low key encouraging membership to the high mile club? (And how Alex and Layovers saved Paul's Emirates First upgrade. The controller goes "oh that sucks", or why Alex keeps listening to ground whilst traveling (but he always gets the last bag delivery ever). Lounge bouncers (not exactly, but lounge double dipping is a thing). Going against the jet stream when it reaches record speeds (and against an unbelievably bad customer representative at JFK). Wife or work wife, who gets lounge access? Plant-based food choices are increasing in quality, Emirates saw the trend early (and why some flight attendants have had enough of special meals). BA is investing billions, but could they spare some to fix their Manage My Bookings on the app? No more miles or status for non-direct bookings, a new trend? Happy flying to you all! — | |||
28 Jan 2025 | 144 10Y — A Decade on the Air, Emirates Zero-Gravity First-Class pinnacle, Virgin Avgeek fan, Finnair joy, BA loyalty controversy | 02:07:49 | |
A decade on the air and in the air, thank you all for your loyalty (we don't offer Tier Points). Loyalty is what we start with, as British Airways shakes the world of revenue based loyalty with a rather abrupt shift (meh it was coming, says Alex, whilst Paul defends BA), but what program should we now put our miles in?! Alex flies to peak pollution Delhi with Virgin Atlantic, to meet his brothers (and his Attache brother, Greg). He then goes to New York via Helsinki with Finnair, an airline that wants you to believe a 330 is a 350, but that he'd fly again and again. IFE privacy and self-consciousness, that's a thing (is it for you all you too?) Paul finally narrates the pinnacle of air travel, the best First Class in the world (no contest!), 12 hours in supreme zero-gravity comfort aboard the Emirates 777 First (he touches all the buttons, creates a night club in the sky in one cabin, a hotel in another). Is the middle seat the best option? You might need binoculars to believe it. Again, thank you all for tuning in every time we release a show (including the crazy ones binge-listening to the entire catalogue of episodes!). Happy flying until our next episode (When? Like at airports, patience is a virtue haha) — | |||
23 Apr 2024 | 137 SAI - The Great Tour of Cambodia and Vietnam, with a cup of water from Cambodia Angkor Air | 02:21:08 | |
Paul is joined by Paolo, one his best friends, to compare notes on a big tour of Cambodia and Vietnam (Paul flew to Cambodia, Paolo flew to Vietnam and Cambodia) with many airports, and airlines along the way (not sure about the water on-board a Cambodia Angkor Air). Paul had his worst fly ever (it was no fault of Etihad, just his own!!) and circles the 380 lounge table forever like an animal, whilst Paolo has the most epic security check experience at Sihanouk International Airport (he's a giant, after all). Cambodia is building huge airports, the future Phnom Penh (still in construction), and the just-opened massive Siem Reap International which we both were pretty staggered with. Are turbulences getting worse, and should the pilot give more explanation when we hit them (Paolo compares them as being rock cradled to sleep in business class!). Does landing at SGN remind you a little of Kai Tak ("dodging the washing lines across the apartments"). Paul and Paolo disagree on BKK, but, yeah, a bit of window cleaning would be good (but the Thai government agrees with Paul, it needs a refurb!). Do you really want to board a Wamos Air? — | |||
08 Feb 2020 | 104 MSP - KC-10 flying gas station, cheese cubes and hummus, why Delta, alliances no more, A220+ | 01:52:12 | |
Flight 104. The cheese cubes and hummus episode, with Doug Zschoche, aka OfficerWayFinder: everything you ever wanted to know about why flyers love Delta so much.
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23 Jun 2022 | 116 MDE - Brace for travel chaos, turbulence forecast, Medellin missed approach, 747-200m fine, air-bus routes, cascading wet leases | 02:06:49 | |
Brace brace brace, travel chaos ahead — from staff shortages, to strikes, to supply chain issues, to a global recession, it's going to be a messy year (and more) ahead. The mess will however make for an interesting wet-lease global puzzle (Mel Air for Air Nostrum as Iberia??), and the experience of using buses instead of airplanes (not sure how we think about that one). Tim Clark is becoming increasingly impatient with the ever-expanding delays at Boeing, and Al Baker wishes he didn't have to put the 380s back in service (that makes us happy!). Alex sleeps his way to Bogota and back, and tells us all about flying to Medellin. Also, did you know there's a 747 parked in Valencia airport that has racked up over 200 million Euros in fines? And that there's a Pret Index? The turbulence forecast website is: https://turbli.com — | |||
31 Oct 2022 | 120 YUL — World Cup flights, Avios stash, Alaska royalty, Nein to AirTags, Upper First Class, Trudeau Dorval or Mirabel | 01:58:50 | |
Alex needed to be in Quebec City, so he obviously flew to Montreal — that made him try Air Transat (is that a controversial airline, Canadian friends?). Our friend Greg sadly never got to fly WestJet however …and Paul still hasn't been to Canada. Qatar is getting ready for a massive amount of daily shuttle flights for the FIFA World Cup (1.5 million fans expected, they're a country of barely 3m!). IAG wants Avios to go beyond BA and QR, but would any other airline be really interested? No AirTags allowed: Lufthansa wants to be left alone losing your luggage. Virgin and Alaska are fighting over a trademark that isn't being used (huh?). Virgin does a Upper First class with the Retreat Suite on the 330-900neo, a perfect bed for Presidents and Prime Ministers ;-) — | |||
29 Nov 2023 | 134 HKG - All business class 321neo, biometrics AI airports, Qatar 2.0, boarding group 0, IFE gold standard | 02:02:54 | |
Alex tells us all about his return to Hong Kong, with Cathay setting a new gold standard in IFE over Emirates (Greg flew China Southern, and, errr, well). Paul flies the all business class 321neo from La Compagnie from Orly to Newark (road traffic was key to that story, but traffic there is none to board, how crazily fast is that, kudos La Compagnie!). Choose your BA seat on Jordanian (neat trick), but it might come with a free infant for you. After 27 years, Qatar Airways replaces Al Baker (would some call him the Jeremy Clarkson of the airline industry?). Can reward/award finders help you spend air miles faster than they devaluate? The biometric airport experience is upon us, and AI is rising (but robots do strike in London when they drive trains). Is British Airways' customer service seeing a renaissance after having listened to Layovers? (at least they're investing quite massively in it, hopefully in IT -capital letters- too). Will we see boarding group -2 arise (group 0 is here)? ExTime, beautiful third party lounges thanks to a je ne sais quoi (the French flair surely). The bucolic murals at that -4 walkway. We did travel quite a lot, pardon the delay in getting this one out. We'll be back in December! Happy flying, all. Paul is on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter. — | |||
12 May 2021 | 109 DIVERSION - Storminess reroute, Steampunk Singapore, (AL)ITA(LIA), pandemic fleets | 02:02:18 | |
Alex outsmarts a diversion, using all the on-air WiFi. Recorded live, no edits, aka "podcast vérité" (or whatever you call Paul being too lazy to edit this). The episode is 2 hours, folks, press Pause for a Kit Kat. (DIVERSION isn't an IATA airport code, we googled it for you ;-)) — | |||
17 Feb 2022 | 112 JFK T5 - JetBlue Mint Studio, SFO for 3 hours and back, powered 747 relic, non-reclining Finnair, Airpotle | 01:57:42 | |
We're back, Alex having taken the time to hack a 747 seat belt sign, Paul having played too much Airportle. We talk about the non-reclining business class from Finnair (it's divise, but we think it might be a winner), the new Qatar Q suite which isn't a Q suite, and the big winner of this pandemic world: premium economy (non-operable seats notwithstanding haha). Whilst there's no love between Airbus and QR, there is love in our show: Paul with the JetBlue Mint Studio (but where's the butter!??), and Alex with, well, just listen to the show (hint: he flew to SFO for 3 hours and back). And much more, for nearly two hours (post-credits included). — | |||
06 Apr 2022 | 113 MLE - Seaplanes, A380s and (not) remembering DXB. A220 flying through the biweekly BA IT mess. | 02:05:03 | |
Emirates, Emirates and more Emirates, in First, in Business, on 380s or 777s. To Male and seaplanes for Alex, to Dubai with a blank at deplaning for Paul. But also some SWISS (the savior), some BA (when it's not cancelled), the new longest route in the world (who's currently flying it??), the QR Airbus saga, Athens airport (Alex, not Paul, this time!) and more. And yes, Alitalia, because it was never going to be ITA, wasn't it? Thank you all for still listening to us, everyone, we REALLY do appreciate all the love.
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01 Feb 2024 | 135 RAK - Epic tropical lounge, composite burn, full row downgrade, going veg, MAXed out Boeing rant | 02:07:31 | |
Qatar'd? No, that new Al Mourjan Lounge at Doha is stunning — one thing we can't say about that RAK one. And Happy New Year to all (this was recorded on Jan 31, just in time!) — | |||
28 Jan 2015 | 001 LHR - Future of A380, end of SkyMall, FlyerTalk and WhatsApp, Cathay Pacific, Plane Finder | 00:41:40 | |
SHOW NOTESI. NEWS OF THE WEEKIAG set to buy Aer Lingus Emirates would consider buying 100 A380 NEO aircrafts if Airbus commits SkyMall goes bankrupt "We are not asking our customers to be happy with anything." 404 - Plane Not Found II. Innovation in AIRTECH, PaxEx and DESIGNJan Koum announced WhatsApp on FlyerTalk Cathay's new campaign Google consults for VietJet New Eurowing livery Will you crash? There's an app for that III. App of the weekPlaneFinder
IV. DEBATE OF THE WEEKHas the A380 any future?
V. Question of the weekWhat is the biggest airport in the world?
VI. Airport trivia of the weekLHR. Choose the Heathrow Connect rather than the Heathrow Express to connect to London, or even the Piccadilly Line. ![]() — | |||
02 Feb 2015 | 002 HKG - Air Force One dash 8, Skymark bankrupt, Qantas virtual reality, smart carry-ons | 01:02:35 | |
SHOW NOTESI. News of the weekThe new Air Force One will be a 747-8 Gatwick's ambition to cut down queues to a minimum Skymark files for bankruptcy Why did AA change its First Class cookie? Qatar Airways buys into IAG Managing Airlines as Hotels
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and DesignHopper promises to tell you when best to book your flight Qantas and Samsung partner on inflight VR goggles Life Vest App US airlines lead world for inflight wifi A carry-on gets smart
III. App of the WeekTripIt
IV. Debate of the weekThe Future of IFE
V. Question of the weekHow can you tell the age of an aircraft you're flying?
VI. Airport of the weekHKG. Alex reminisces about the amazing feat that was the big move from Kai Tak to the new Chek Lap Kok. ![]() — | |||
09 Feb 2015 | 003 SFO - Japan Airlines leg room, LCY expansion, flight booking apps, selfie crash, Emirates 747 | 01:05:47 | |
SHOW NOTESWe are very appreciative for the all the feedback received in the past week. It was overwhelming, thank you everyone and keep it coming! We are learning about podcasting as we go and, for instance, we have tested an improved sound solution that we should start using for next week's episode. I. News of the weekWas Emirates pitched the 747-8? Crash by selfie LCY will expand Harrison Ford narrates Aviation documentary The TransAsia crash
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and DesignPay-to-use in-flight outlets EasyJet introduces a new livery Private air travel membership Incredible room on JAL's Dreamliners Frankfurt's airport app gives real-time security and immigration waiting times Wanderlust within Chrome
III. App of the weekHipMunk IV. Debate of the weekBooking a flight online and on mobile, an overview V. Question of the weekWhich airlines would you not fly on and why not? by Gen Kanai in Tokyo, Japan VI. Airport of the weekSFO. Which is not really in San Francisco, but has a great museum and wonderful curated displays about every topic you can imagine. ![]() — | |||
16 Feb 2015 | 004 GVA - US3 versus ME3, SkyMall, Google Glass at airports, La Compagnie | 01:11:56 | |
SHOW NOTESWe implemented a new recording method for this episode, which improves on the sound. We realize that the mixing is not yet perfect but we know that John Biggs will continue pushing us towards perfection. I. News of the weekUS airlines vs the Gulf Airlines Open-Skies Agreements Challenged — Jad Mouawad, The New York Times U.S airlines disclose details of booking lost to Gulf carriers — Jeffrey Dastin, Reuters The U.S Airlines' Hypocrisy on Protectionism in the Skies — Colin Nagy, Skift Boeing reviving the 757? Boeing Weighs Options to Reprise Aging 757s — Jon Ostrower and Robert Wall, The Wall Street Journal ($) Boeing reject business case for 757 re-engining — Stephen Trimble, FlightGlobal Air Lease CEO Weighs In on Boeing's 757 Dilemma — Jon Ostrower, The Wall Street Journal AirUber or SpotifyAir? SkyMall reborn SkyMall Will Fly Again. Get Ready for a New Pilot. — Scott Jordan, LinkedIn Expedia buys airline-incepted Orbitz Expedia to buy Orbitz in cash deal worth $1.6 billion — Kevin May, Tnooz Expedia Hopes Orbitz Acquisition Will Help It Sell More Flights — Dennis Schaal, Skift Korean Air executive goes to jail over nuts Korean Air executive jailed in 'nut rage' case — BBC News Parliament split over IAG' s acquisition of Aer Lingus, RyanAir driven out Government backing key for IAG's Aer Lingus bid, says City — Nick Fletcher, The Guardian Airbus loses only A380 VVIP client Airbus Cancels Only VVIP A380 Order — Thierry Dubois, AIN Online Airbus Billionaire Study — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers The Fabulous Life Of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud — Forbes
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and DesignJetBlue introduces Apple Pay JetBlue will soon let you buy in the sky with Apple Pay — Mariella Moon, Engadget JetBlue's Apple Pay play begs questions about live CC processing — Mary Kirby, RunwayGirl Network FAA proposes drone rules US DOT issues proposed rulemaking for small UAS in commercial airspace — Graham Warwick, ATW Online Dubai Airport briefly closed due to illegal drone activity — Aviation Safety Network Operation and Certification of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems — FAA (PDF) AMS trials Google Glass Schiphol innovates with Google Glass — Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (video) JAL experiments Google Glass at Honolulu Airport — Aviation Wire (Japanese) BA goes tablet for logbook BA first with electronic logbook for 787 fleet — David Learmount, FlightGlobal Airplane family seating Thomson Airways waffles on timing of Family Booth seating — Maryann Simson, Runway Girl Network Lufthansa introduces vintage 747 livery Lufthansa Paints a Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental in Retro Livery — Malcolm Muir, Airline Reporter Lufthansa's new basic 1968 Boeing 747-830 retro jet — Bruce Drum, World Airline News Flying the 747-8 is like driving a Porsche, Lufthansa celebrates — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers RyanAir talks smartwatches Ryanair to woo passengers with smartwatch technology — Natalie Paris, Telegraph SWISS' amazing footage Breathtaking footage of a SWISS A320 slaloming the Swiss Alps — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers United tests a new website Sneak peek: United nears roll-out of anticipated new website — Ben Mutzabaugh, USA Today Delta goes Starbucks Starbucks, Dunkin & Lift - Oh My! Coffee Keeps Passengers Going — Malcolm Muir, Airline Reporter
III. App of the weekIV. Debate of the weekCan a business-only airline finally succeed? The Rise Of The New All-Business Class Carrier — Jonny Clark, TheDesignAir Is La Compagnie a real business-only airline? — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers The Most Ridiculous Airline Aspiration of the Century — Ben Schlappig, One Mile At A Time V. Question of the weekWhy do Canadian airports have a Y prefix, whereas the ones in the UK are more city-related? And why is LAX called LAX? by Keir Whitaker in Bath, UK The three-letter airport code history is both simple and complicated. The origins can be found in meteorological stations, regulations, old city names, airfield names. Listen to the segment for a run-down! VI. Airport of the weekGVA. Geneva is home to the United Nations and many of its bodies (HCR, WIPO, WHO, ITU to name a few) but also the IATA and the EBACE aviation trade fair. Many multinationals (Nestle), financial institutions and organizations (the Olympic committee) are also located nearby, which also explains the importance of the airport relative to its size. Many countries also source the ink for their bank notes through that port of call. If you have to go through passport control, chances are you will be bussed. Always go close to the doors on the right side of the bus, you'll exit quicker to immigration—which can get cramped at times (the zone shall be refurbished soon, we hear). Before customs, at the baggage belts, is a machine that delivers a 80 minutes free public transport ticket. It's not well-advertised, but worth it as cabs do not all take credit cards. Take the train over the bus to go to the center of the city with that ticket. All trains stop a Geneva central station and you'll be there in a short 5 minutes. Leaving Geneva Airport, make sure you take a look at the security gates at the end, there's often less people than the ones people turn first at (there's a Fast Track corridor on both ends). You can also try to go through the F gates—although usually reserved for passengers traveling to France, staff might let y ![]() — | |||
23 Feb 2015 | 005 MUC - Lufthansa low cost, the ME3, Delta lost dogs, China Eastern digital butler | 01:19:37 | |
SHOW NOTESI. News of the weekUS airlines vs the Gulf airlines, round two U.S. Airlines vs Gulf Carriers: That Escalated Quickly — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers Qatar's Al Baker firmly rebukes Delta chief in subsidies row — Max Kingsley-Jones, FlightGlobal Delta CEO apologizes for terrorist remark — Karen Walker, ATW Emirates Boss Pushes Back on Delta's Open Skies and 9/11 Claims — Jason Clampet, Skift U.S Airport Group Sides Against Airlines in Open Skies Battle — Marisa Garcia, Skift The Battle Over Open Skies Forces U.S. Tourism Industry to Choose Sides — Marisa Garcia, Skift Emirates Considers Reducing Tickets Prices — RJ321, Airliners.net Are cabin toxic fumes a health risk? Warning over toxic fumes in plane cabins — Andrew Gilligan, Telegraph North Korea Air Force One See Inside Kim Jong Un's Remodeled Air Force One — Taylor Rogoway, Jalopnik Turkish might get two A380s Gulfstream breaks world record Gulfstream Breaks Round The World Record With Only One Fuel Stop — Chris Clarke, Jalopnik Lufthansa's premium costs versus LCC Lufthansa Proposes Legacy Growth Plan In Return For Staff Concessions — Jens Flottau, Aviation Week Lufthansa's Eurowings agrees new pay deal with pilots — Reuters Lufthansa's new budget airline cleared for take-off — Chris Bryant, FT ($) EU releases report on LCC working conditions Zero-hour pilot contracts threaten air safety, says study — Euractiv Virgin America posts profits Virgin America posts second consecutive full-year net profit — Aaron Karp, ATW Delta lost dogs Furious owners claim Delta lost their show dogs at airport — Matt Markovich, Komonews Russia requests API Russia to require API for all overflights — hugolover, Flyertalk
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and designAir France mobile upgrade game Air France Upgrade Challenge — AirFrance.com The upgrade challenge: new cabins launch in Asia — Air France (video) Air France Launches The Upgrade Challenge Social Game — Ryan Lum, Creative Guerilla Marketing Breathometer Breathometer ties in Uber and last-minute hotel stays for drunk — Nick Vivion, Tnooz China Eastern introduces digital personal assistant Microsoft XiaoIce (Chinese) Siri in the cockpit Honeywell tests voice-recognition technology on flight decks — Meryl Fishler, Cronkite News Cool New Cockpit Technologies — Honeywell Aviation (video) 3D printed Rolls-Royce engine Rolls-Royce to fly Trent XWB with largest-ever 3D-printed part — Murdo Morrison, FlightGlobal ANA sells 747-400 parts as memorabilia Forever 747 — ANA A-Style (Japanese) A Concorde podcast episode Flying the Concorde — Omega Tau, episode 166
III. App of the Week
IV. Debate of the WeekThe origins of the Gulf Airlines The Rise of the Gulf Carriers — Ashley Kindergan, TheFinancialist Flying High, The Improbable Rise of the Gulf Airlines — Jim Krane, Foreign Affairs Big three Gulf airlines brush aside obstacles in pursuit of dominance — Gwyn Topham, The Guardian The sky is the limit: has the time come for air traffic control in the GCC? — Albawaba Business
V. Question of the weekWhat is the largest airline in the world by fleet size? by Paul (after Alex told him Emirates wasn't in the Top 10) World Airline Fleets: Top 10 Aviation Armadas with Most Airplanes — FinancesOnline The 10 Airlines With the Biggest Fleets in the World — Rob Cowte, The Richest
VI. Airport of the weekMUC. ![]() — | |||
05 Mar 2015 | 006 BCN - Google Flights, Bombardier CS300, mobile passport, Airwolf, MH370 | 01:12:07 | |
SHOW NOTESTwo shout outs this week. First to TheDesignAir for going live with their brand new podcast, The Aviator, it's really great and you should all subscribe! Second to our own Alex who just released the first episode of his video travel show, Attaché. Take a look at the London episode. Paul attended the filming of Barcelona this week—what fun we had! I. News of the weekWOW goes transatlantic Iceland's WOW air prepares fo new transatlantic routes — Alan Dron, ATW The economic impact of Emirates Airlines in Europe Emirates Airgues Why It's Good for Europe's Economy — Deena Kamel Yousef, Bloomberg Boeing and FedEx support OpenSkies Boeing, FedEx battle back vs US airlines on Gulf competition — Reuters Bombardier flies its CS300 Bombardier schedules CS300 first flight for 26 February — Mavis Toh, FlightGlobal SouthWest misses inspections Southwest for Now Can Use Planes That Missed Inspection — David Koenig, ABC News United is brutally honest with its pilots United Airlines Officials Highlight 'Near-Misses' in Safety Message to Pilots — Dan Good, ABC News A new biggest plane ever made This Will Be the World's Largest Plane — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics Inside The Roc's Lair — Guy Norris, Aviation Week A 747 Gobs Solar Impulse From Switzerland To Abu Dhabi — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers The restoration of the first 747
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and Design#MWC15: IBM showcases iOS app for airline industry Next IBM MobileFirst for iOS Apps Unveiled — IBM Apple - IBM Partnership Sprouts Latest Set Of Apps At Mobile World Congress — Ron Miller, Techcrunch #MWC15: Virgin goes smartwatch JAL Tests Smartwatch Broadcasts at Tokyo Haneda — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers #MWC15: American Airlines' Hackathon Ryanair goes mobile-first The new Ryanair - a mobile-first travel retailer — Martin Cowen, Tnooz Options Away' future ticket lock Options Away, an airfare lock startup, raises $3.5 million — Sean O'Neill, Tnooz A mobile passport to get into the US Second Airport Offers Travelers Access to Mobile Passport App — Benet J. Wilson, Airways News Faster Airport Entry Into the USA with this Selfie iPhone App — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers Starwood and Uber join loyalty forces Starwood Is Giving Out SPG Loyalty Points to Uber Riders — Serena Saitto, Bloomberg Google Flights is out of beta Google Flights comes out of beta, but still isn't profitable — Sean O'Neill, Tnooz Use ITA codes on HipMunk Bet You Didn't Know: Using Hipmunk to book ITA Matrix flights — FrequentMiler Airbus goes AirWolf Airbus' New Composite Helicopter Is A Billion Dollar Bet — Chris Clarke, Jalopnik
III. App of the Week
IV. Debate of the weekOne year into MH370's mysterious disappearance. The Vanishing — Sean Flynn, GQ MH370 hunt covers 40% of search area — Flightglobal MH370: Australian PM Abbott hints at scaled back search — BBC News How crazy am I to think I actually know where that Malaysia Airlines plane is? — Jeff Wise, NYMag To Keep Airplanes on the Map, Track Them from Space — Loren Grush, Popular Science
V. Question of the weekWhat seat would you recommend? Window, middle or aisle? by Deanne De Rego Hunter in Kent, UK. It is often said that window seats are made for dreamers, aisle seats for workers and aisle for no one. Turns out both Alex and Paul are in for the experience and explain the reasons why.
VI. Airport of the weekBCN. Barcelona-El Prat airport has ambition. Alex and Paul talk about their experience there. ![]() — | |||
10 Mar 2015 | 007 MIA - 747s are Forever, From The U.S. Airlines With Love, The Man With The Golden Apple Watch | 01:21:36 | |
SHOW NOTESAlex and Paul are on a secret mission to uncover the latest in aviation innovation. Well, it's episode 007, expect Plenty O'Puns. I. News of the weekThe U.S. airlines release their white paper about the Gulf airlines Full Report of U.S. Airlines to the White House Blaming Gulf Carriers — Paul Papadimitriou, Layovers US-UAE Business Council Tells U.S. Airlines to Compete More and Complain Less — Marisa Garcia, Skift Feeling the heat — The Economist U.S Airlines Promise to Get More Aggressive Towards Gulf Carrier Rivals — Dennis Schaal, Skift American Airlines' request for pension bailout draws criticism — Steven Mufson, Washington Post Second A350 to up ante in Qatar's battle with Lufthansa — Michael Gubisch, FlightGlobal Lufthansa Prepared to Battle Emirates by Slashing Fares — Richard Weiss, Bloomberg Emirates really wants its A380-NEOs Emirates Would Order Up to 200 A380neos — Jens Flottau, AviationWeek Airbus assures on A380 break-even this year — David Kaminski-Morrow, FlightGlobal MH370 interim report MH370 Official Report (PDF) Angry families reject report — BBC News Incidents in series Turkish A330 suffers nose gear collapse in Kathmandu — Firdaus Hashim, FligthGlobal 'Minor' injuries result from MD-88 LaGuardia crash: Delta — Jon Hemmerdinger, FlightGlobal Incidents reveal crucial need for passengers to leave bags behind — John Walton, RunWayGirlNetwork Solar Impulse 2 starts its round-the-world trip Qantas 747 lands for posterity Historic Qantas 747-400 makes precision touchdown on its final journey — CourrierMail Pilot's-eye view of 747-400's delivery flight to Illawarra — wave965fm (video) Korean Air will fly its 747-8 to London Korean Air Adds Boeing 747-8i London Operation from August 2015 — Airline Route
II. Innovation in AirTech, PaxEx and DesignSITA's report on the future of air travel The Future is Personal in Air Travel — SITA Closing in on a 360-degree view for airports and airlines — Linda Fox, Tnooz Uber suffers drawback in Japan Uber Says Goodbye to Japan after Government Ruling — Ma Jie, Bloomberg Uber pilots ride-sharing in Japan — The Star LINE Taxi leapfrogs Uber, now in over 90 cities across Japan — David Corbin, TechinAsia SkyTeam goes all in for messaging apps Air France on WeChat in China — AirFrance.com SkyTeam Gets Vocal on WeChat — SkyTeam.com KLM Launches Android Smartwatch App — KLM.com Thought-controlled piloting Quadriplegic woman flies F-35 with nothing but her thoughts — Jesus Diaz, Gizmodo A new airliner tracking system Rockwell Collins offers global airliner tracking system — Karen Walker, ATW
III. Gadget of the week
IV. Debate of the weekThe planes, airlines and airports of 007 Live and Let Fly — David Lande, Air & Space Magazine List of vehicles in James Bond movies Virgin Atlantic's Vesper cocktail
V. Question of the weekWhat are the private 747s in operation today? by Paul Papadimitriou, in honor of Auric Goldfinger who flew a Lockheed JetStar. The lines of private and state-owned can sometimes be blurry, but we found three candidates, two 747-400 and one 747-8i. We enumerate a few other examples too.
VI. Airport of the weekMIA. Casino Royale is the only 007 movie which features an entire action sequence in an airport: Miami International. Nothing was filmed there, though. It all happened in PRA (airfield), NAS (airport), the Dunsfold Aerodrome (hangar) and Pinewood Studios (miniatures). We still look at what's to say about MIA. The iBeacon initiative is of note. ![]() — | |||
17 Mar 2015 | 008 SIN - ITA Matrix, airports sensors, Ryanair transatlantic, Lufthansa strikes | 01:30:29 | |
SHOW NOTESI. News of the weekSHOW NOTES Ryanair ressucitates a ghost airport
Ryanair goes transatlantic
Qatar Airways Buys Heathrow Hotel Emirates addresses subsidies accusations
Korean Air's attendant strikes back Virgin Atlantic announces profit II. Innovation news of the week Better airport queue improvement via mobile tracking
The fastest U.S. airlines
Google Flights adds amenities data
In-flight smartcard payments More Apple Watch flight apps
Battery causes fire on KLM flight Spitfire interactive Sky data drawings
3D visualization of all flights in the world III. App of the week ITA Matrix
IV. Debate of the week Lufthansa's low cost strategy
V. Question of the week Will airline honor mistake fares?
VI. Airport of the week SIN SIN is considered one of the best airports in the world. The SkyTrax World Airport Awards gave it its 2015, 2014, 2013 nod and Business Traveler Magazine has named it the best for no less than 26 consecutive years. From the swimming pool to the rooftop gardens, from the city tours to the slide, learn why Alex and Paul agree.
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01 Apr 2015 | 009 PHX - Dan Hamilton, secrets of SFO ATC, Germanwings disaster, Uber for lost luggage | 01:31:36 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week
Ryanair refutes transatlantic plans
New fronts in the US vs Gulf airlines debate
Air India recruitment problem Man jumps off plane in Mumbai II. Innovation News of the Week A remote controlled airport tower
Uber allies with Bluesmart for lost luggage recovery
More airlines launch Apple Watch apps A cabin to simulate aircrft sound pollution Lufthansa flies entrepreneurs in India III. App of the Week Google Flights IV. Topic of the week The secrets of SFO tower with Dan Hamilton, Air Traffic Controller at San Francisco Airport VI. Airport of the week PHX Beyond the brutalist experience, what is there to know about Phoenix Sky Harbor: from the disappearing Terminal 1 to the highest airport train track in the world.
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10 Apr 2015 | 010 AMS - PaxEx, Virgin Galactic, aircraft Street View, US unions vs Nicole Kidman, SouthWest IFE | 01:38:19 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week Virgin into space
Human errors in the cockpit
The growing pains of the South East Asia airline industry
The elusive MH370 The Germanwings disaster
Allegiants pilots union disastrous letter The unions don't like Nicole Kidman A foamy salute to Virgin Atlantic A shout out to Pieter Johnson and his Aviation Xtended II. Innovation news of the week KLM transforms a plane into an AirBnB
The sharing economy and travel
Austrian becomes myAustrian in new livery British Airways' frequent flyer system hacked
Priceline buys Rocketmiles Selling airline miles for bitcoins
Alex tests SouthWest IFE Cathay looks into coffee
Google Street View goes into aircrafts How to take a good picture through an airplane window III. App of the week LiveATC IV. Topic of the week What does PaxEx truly mean? Looking at the entire scope of the passenger experience.
V. Question of the week What are your top 3 airline websites? Alex
Paul
We also mention:
VI. Airport of the week AMS From the rooftop to the unique terminal concept, a look into what makes Schiphol stand out. — | |||
15 Apr 2015 | 011 SXM - Cramping coach, Narita running tracks, Emirates removes First, Google antitrust | 01:39:10 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week The subsidies received by U.S. arlines
Emirates lets go of First in new A380
Boeing parks 787 in Mojave Desert as premium seat glut increases
Early overweight 787 finally find owners 777 improvements while waiting for the 777X Virgin America tops U.S. customer satisfaction
E.U. airlines fined for mishandling passengers' rights Airport handler wakes up in cargo while flight en route TSA wins big on loose change II. Innovation news of the week Google faces anti-trust proceedings in Europe
Air Malta draws hearts in the sky
LHR introduces smarter airplane separation for more landing efficency Angry Birds on IFE Delta offers a premium pet tracking service AMS and KLM partner for airport wayfinding through beacons
NRT uses running track instead of airport signage
III. App of the week SeatGuru IV. Topic of the week The future of economy is shrinking The situation
The manufacturers plans for more economy seats
The airlines new economy
The seat recline debate
A better economy seat
The best current seats
V. Question of the week The world's craziest runways LUA, Nepal GIB, Gibraltar PHB, Buthan SBH, St. Barts TGU, Honduras SXM, St Marteen We also mentionned, Courchevel CVF, the Swissair landing at HKG and Matekane in Lesotho. VI. Airport of the week SXMA plane spotter paradise. — | |||
23 Apr 2015 | 012 LAX - Dean Johnson, JFK epic building, iPad seat dock, 787 Star Wars, live sports IFE | 02:02:40 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week Emirates massive engine order
Cyprus plans for a new flag carrier Iconic JFK Terminal 5 building revived
United expels passenger for tweet SkyJet and media sensationalism Manston's future New UK Air Passenger Duty Taxe rate
II. Innovation news of the week ANA Star Wars plans Device charging safety Lufthansa introduces Wifi on short haul flights A truly global Wifi Gogo's study on in-flight Wifi expectations The success of in-flight live sports Docking iPad seat
Could planes be hacked through wifi? Lufthansa frequent flyer system compromised Airport sleeping pods Business Lounge etiquette revised by Qantas III. App of the week Kayak Flights Price Alerts (account needed) Kayak.com IV. Topic of the week The future of virtual reality, smartwatches and gadgets in flight. With Dean Johnson, SVP of Creative Innovation at Brandwidth Group. Mentioned during the interview
V. Question of the week 1st Class, Premier Class, Upper Class. Who truly has the top tier "pointy end product"? What product/services are necessary to be widely considered a 1st class product?by Will Hunter from Berkeley, California. VI. Airport of the week LAX — | |||
08 May 2015 | 013 LCY - 787 bug, American iPad bug, Germany parking robot, Four Seasons plane | 01:33:26 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week The 787 Bug The new FAA air traffic system Planes grounded by an iPad app error Happy 10th, A380 A private 747-8 U.S. airlines investing
Judge dismisses Skiplagged suit MH downsizes, kills cargo TAP goes on prolonged strike The 2015 Freddie Awards The Nepal earthquake
China v US airlines? Qatar adds more capacity to the U.S. II. Innovation News of the Week The Apple Watch is released
An app to FedEx your suitcase A new business class seat concept A valet robot at Dusseldorf Airport Connected Valet Robot “Lights Up” Airport Parking Four Seasons in the air #T1Lightsoff A bigger first class for Emirates Airubs e-fan has a factory III. The Airport of the Week LCY — | |||
15 May 2015 | 014 DXB - Emirates A380 First showers, Rome FCO fire, Etihad reacts to US3, Asia needs pilots | 01:31:23 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week
Subsidy? Tosh! Tim Clark talks on the Emirates in-flight radio Etihad reacts to U.S. accusations Frontier woes continue Cyprus might get a new airline Rome FCO crippled by a fire The magic of flying Not enough pilots in Asia II. Innovation news of the week Alex shares his Cathay Pacific experience Paul takes about his Emirates experience, including a shower in the Emirates A380 First Class cabin Free smartphone with unlimited data at a Hong Kong hotel U.S. versus Asian airports An anti-glare photo invention III. App of the week Hotel Quickly IV. Airport of the week DXB
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04 Jun 2015 | 015 ATL - Singapore A330 engine failure, Delta new safety video, TravelersBox, Emirates mocks US | 01:22:08 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week Another report in the US4 v ME3 saga The best U.S. airlines Delta likes profits and fees
Bye bye US Airways U.S. pre-clearance expanded Will Emirates fly to the U.S. from London? IAG backs the Middle-Eastern carriers Amsterdam doesn't want more Emirates flights Malaysia Airlines fires every single employee A Singapore Airlines A330 sees two engines shut off midflight II. Innovation news of the week Hacking a flight: the story so far
United offers miles bounty to squash bugs The crazy new Delta safety video Paul relates his Emirates experience from MXP to JFK Improving ATC through data commands Singapore Airlines shows its newest Premium Economy product
Emirates ad on the golden age of travel pokes fun at U.S. airlines The video has been removed from Emirates YouTube channel Skywards gives aways 15 million miles to celebrate anniversary Flying Blue's photo contest
SkyPicker offers new combinations for cheap travel III. Product of the week IV. Airport of the week ATL — | |||
26 Jun 2015 | 016 VIE - KLM social media, Iberia ticket auctions, Delta bags, SouthWest good deed, ANA rebrand | 01:28:34 | |
SHOW NOTES I. News of the week
II. Innovation of the week
III. Airport of the week — | |||
30 Jun 2015 | 017 MEM - 747 is alive, EasyJet drone maintenance, FAA pilotless plane, no A380 for United | 01:21:21 | |
SHOW NOTES I. Industry News of the Week
II. Innovation News of the Week
III. App of the Week IV. Airport of the Week MEM — | |||
09 Jul 2015 | 018 ATH - Emirates goes to Washington, LHR T1 closes, Iron Man safety video, Monarch Apple Watch | 01:22:14 | |
SHOW NOTES I. Industry News of the Week
II. Innovation News of the Week
III. Airport of the Week ATH — | |||
29 Jul 2015 | 019 GIG - Greg Annandale, La Guardia is bad, living in First Class, La Compagnie, SpaceX | 01:40:06 | |
SHOW NOTESGuestGreg Annandale, freelance web developper. Website — Twitter — Instagram I. News of the weekTEDx Haneda
MH17 1 year anniversary
Airbus confirms A380neo
Could Singapore retake the longest flight crown?
** Greg Annandale on his SpaceX experience**
The U.S. "Boeing" Bank faces uncertain future
LGA to be rebuilt
The JFK TWA hotel Reduced competition at U.S. airports The incredible business of ticket fees
British Airways fights hidden city trick Collusion in the U.S. skies?
United CEO dismiesses A380, first class
United pilot ditches ammo in lavatories The summer of hell for United Delta investing in Japan's bankcrupt SkyMark? Delta ditches plans to buy jets after union negotiations fall apart Air France, its model, its unions
IAG gets the OK to buy Aer Lingus
Ryanair hates prices comparison websites Ryanair leaves Denmark over labor union woes
A 1bn airport sold for 10k
Athens airport hasn't paid VAT forever BA inquiry: wrong engine had been fixed 777 debris fall over Shanghai
LHR won't agree to new rules for 3rd runway
Protesters blocks LHR runway
II. Innovation news of the week Solar Impulse 2 can't go on with current batteries
Airbus electric plane crosses the Channel
Burt Rutan is not done creating amazing planes
Greg Annandale reviews 'Living in the Age of Airplanes' A new economy seat patent makes the internet go crazy Ben Schlappig, traveling in First Class all year round, for free British Airways keeps First Class in 787-9 British Airways sticks with first class on its bellwether 787-9 - Runway GirlRunway Girl SWISS impresses with 777 interior design
Greg Annandale shares his experience on La Compagnie
TheDesignAir ranks best business classes TheDesignAir Passenger Choice's awards are open III. Airport of the week GIG (Rio de Janeiro) — | |||
07 Aug 2015 | 020 DUB - Airbus hypersonic, MH370 discovery, Delta, United hacking, LHR 3rd runway | 01:23:40 | |
SHOW NOTES News of the week Mission Impossible — Rogue Nation
First clues in the MH370 mystery?
US3 versus ME3
Japan
China
TAP + Azul U.S. airlines systems hacked
Airlines ban game trophies First class jets
Airlines mis-target customer messages The A380
Airbus & Boeing sales numbers
AirHook Airbus future planes
Heathrow's third runway
British Airways' new luggage policy
HitList hits version 3 II. Airport of the week DUB — | |||
14 Aug 2015 | 021 LAS - Drone disruption, UK airports sales tax scam, Facebook aircraft, Tinder for the skies | 01:08:07 | |
SHOW NOTES News of the week Singapore celebrates its 50th anniversary
Singapore Airlines' future
Emirates competes with Singapore, comments on Delta
Passenger chat apps
Too many air travel apps?
Be the Skyscanner CEO More apps
Wifi in the skies
Dangerous drones
Guns at U.S. airports
The Facebook drone SpaceShip Two Harrison Ford's accident report Storms
Drunken behaviors
MH rumored new name
A duty free scandal in the UK
Airport of the week LAS — | |||
10 Sep 2015 | 022 JNB - Don Hunter, fmr Cathay Pacific and Kai Tak, debating the future of flying | 01:26:03 | |
SHOW NOTES Guest Don Hunter. Chief Officer Airport Operations at Oman Air since 2010. Prior to that, MD Dnata Philippines and Vice President Operations Dnata Dubai. Managing director of Menzies Macau in 2007-2008. General Manager Airport Services Virgin Atlantic in 2004-2007. Cathay Pacific Airways in 1986-2004, posts included General Manager Kai Tak, Managing Director Hong Kong Air Terminal Services, and MD Hong Kong Airport Services, General Manager Africa and Airport Manager San Francisco. 10 years as commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force. News of the week The story of the HKG transfer, by Don Hunter
Other future airport switches
The rise of the Middle Eastern airlines We've discussed about this topic in all our episodes so far. Of note, check episode 005 MUC on the origins of the Gulf airlines, 004 GVA on the US versus Middle-East debate, 008 SIN on Lufthansa's low cost strategy or 014 DXB where we talk about Emirates. The future of flying in Africa
Low costs and the legacy airlines
We've also discussed the low cost model in various past episodes, including 008 SIN when we discussied RyanAir potential long haul low cost offering. New modular fares and the Malaysia Airlines relaunch
BA keeps its 747 alive Check our various past episodes about our discussions on the future of the A380. A different ranking of best and worst airports in the world The Shoreham Airshow disaster
Airport of the week JNB
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14 Sep 2015 | 023 LGW - American First for pets, Iron Maiden 747, LoungeBuddy, sinking airport | 01:05:00 | |
SHOW NOTESShout outsOur thanks to all our listeners, we really appreciate your loyalty and your feedback! Special thanks to Neil (JNB), Zachary (SFO), Kendall (TXL), Michael (FAB), HhhHhm (AMS), Gen (PVG), Pieter (BOH), Markus (STR), Mica & Camille (LHR), Gray (TPA) and Mascha (AMS) for your messages. News of the week BA 777 on fire at Las Vegas
Don't be stupid in an emergency evacuation
British Airways unveils new First cabin
Paul's curation of First and Business class news First class for pets Be mentored at 30,000 feet United CEO is fired on the spot
Iron Maiden embarks on World Tour on a 747
ANA unveils the Star Wars Dreamliner Don't believe Facebook flight hoaxes Heathrow miles Flying apps
KLM on Instagram Airports incidents
777 flaperon confirmed from MH370
Airport of the week LGW — | |||
28 Sep 2015 | 024 MRU - New wave of airplane food, Concorde to fly again, 777-9X foldable wings | 01:05:44 | |
SHOW NOTESShout outsSpecial thanks to Michael (FAB) who corrected us (LGW is not a BAA airport anymore) and for his contributions you'll hear throughout this episode, to Nic (LHR) for his endorsement, Mohd (KUL) for the kind words and his question, to the Flying Blue employee Paul phoned to whilst being at MRU for being so kind and efficient. Paul would also like to thank Bernard who invited him on his Analyse Asia podcast to discuss the state of travel in Asia (show notes): https://soundcloud.com/analyseasia/episode-60-startups-air-travel-in-asia-with-paul-papadimitriou …and to Mark (LHR) whose book, Skyfaring, helped him enjoy a 12 hours flight. News of the weekAir Mauritius
iPhone 6S and Apple Watch
MH370
Airplane Food
The Concorde to fly again? Airbus
Mitsubishi Boeing
LHR tests steeper approach
Rear-ended at LAX Weighting passengers
The IFE that calls you an idiot
Question of the week by Mohd Adid on becoming a pilot in South East Asia. Airport of the week MRU — | |||
10 Oct 2015 | 025 LGB - limiting leg room reduction, United iPhones and secret frequent flyer program | 01:03:04 | |
SHOW NOTESCaptains' hat tipsOur thanks to Markus (STR), Cedric (CDG), Michael (FAB), Peter (BOH), Ivan (WAW), and Kendall (TXL) for their contributions to this episode and their feedback. Special thanks to all those who hunted our last episode on Product Hunt. News of the weekDisruption in air travel
LHR and pollution Air India announces world's longest flight Airline layoffs
Stop the leg room war Innovation in seat design
Europe Court challenges airline excuses for delays A lucky landing United apologizes
United pampers
United innovates
A non-smart Bluesmart? Quebec airport and the Apple Watch AirAsia is an internet company Malaysian won't re-brand The Emirates Jennifer Aniston ad
The Miami Dolphins and Heathrow A teddy bear journey Airport of the week — | |||
31 Oct 2015 | 026 BOM - Poland LOT bitcoins, LHR Terminal 6, Pegasus Instragram, Virgin America Spotify | 01:07:29 | |
SHOW NOTES Wishing well to Oscar Munoz Alex & Paul's travels
BA and OneWorld to grow network?
Qantas to fly direct to Europe?
The future of London Heathrow JetBlue farms potatoes at New York Kennedy
Hiroko Tabuchi's pictures of JFK TWA terminal
HKG delays third runway Fly for 2 dollars around Asia! LOT goes bitcoin New websites to score flying deals
Virgin America introduces Spotify
Virgin America's A320 Inside View Netflix in the air
Wifi on the transatlantic route
Norwegian promises low prices to cross the Atlantic The different perception about the passenger experience
Compensation for delays
Expedia offers more plane data at booking A new smart-carry (that we like) Mandatory plane dashboard cams? This PEgasus pilot has such a great Instagram account No, the LHR Concorde didn't dissapear BOM
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17 Nov 2015 | 027 FRA - DXB beacons, Indigo, bye bye US Airways, Air France downsizing, carry-on ads | 01:04:10 | |
SHOW NOTESCaptains' Hat TipsThanks to Kendall (TXL) for stating that we were one of the best sources of industry news, to Greg (BRS) for his weekly contributions and Vicky (ATH) for her suggestions. News of the weekThe Russian airliner crash
Worrying working conditions for US Air Traffic controllers The Future of Air France
The success of IndiGo Russia Sukhoi finds a client China's Comec WHo will order the B747? Airbus ups and downs
A new crazy seat patent
The Residence, by Etihad News rows in the US3 v ME3 debate
The passenger technologies at Dubai airports Advertising on your carry-on
A smart travel lock Boaarding pass barcodes could be a security risk CIA's advice: look cool Google and the workplace Cathay refreshed its livery US Airways gets a send off FRA — | |||
26 Nov 2015 | 028 IST - Star Trek influences EasyJet, Twitter for airlines, Turkish IFE, Etihad upgrade bidding | 01:08:02 | |
Terror attacks
The new airport security reality: insoucring?
Paul narrates how liquids in his carry-on failed to be detected at TSE, IST and ZAG Emirates goes 2 class and jetpacks
Happy 20, EasyJet (but are you sure about those uniforms?)
The Air Astana experience and its IFE
Etihad's upgrade bidding system
Is Twitter a better way to handle customer service?
Paul narrates his nightmarish Turkish flight cancellation incident Paul and Alex both flew in the same "Pope plane" by Croatia Airlines The state of maintenance
Paul narrates how a third of his SWISS flight wasn't allowed to board Lufthansa experiences a very bad strike The Norwegian experience
The modern Turkish experience
IST — | |||
06 Dec 2015 | 029 EWR - Jetblue and Amazon, 170 million air miles, crazy Airbus patent, wine carry-on | 00:50:51 | |
Women in the aviation industry
Air travel after the terror attacks
Proof that SIN is good for layovers? Cathay returns at LGW Cathay Pacific 'to return to London Gatwick with A350' - Business Traveller Europe and the US versus the Middle-Eastern carriers
What is Qatar announcing for the US market? JetBlue goes Amazon Emirates adds bigger IFE screens in all classes Pay for Wifi with United miles 170m USD worth or air miles! Jetlovers Google creeps into travel
Startup lookout Luggage weight sharing?
For wine lovers KLM goes Messenger We don't know what Airbus is thinking The renaissance of supersonic planes
EWR — | |||
27 Dec 2015 | 030 BEY - Changi goes Star Wars, abandoned 747s, Qatar A350, Airbus Kinder chocolate | 01:01:09 | |
Travel security advices SIN meets Star Wars The BA 767 Qatar Airways fumbles A350 launch in New York
Emirates retires aircrafts and expands airline deals
Etihad wants to be there for the long run
Luxury seats …with a view A chocolate egg with a plane The lunacy of designers thinking about air travel The battle of travel planning apps
Uncertainties over Egypt
Air India can't find enough cash Good news for U.S. air travel
Toss the bag! The abandonned 747s mystery
Drawing the experience of air travel LHR delayed decision angers UK businesses
U.S. Global Entry opened for British citizens BEY — | |||
02 Jan 2016 | 031 NCE - BA avoid France, ANA flies Star Wars, A380 maximum seats, texting Kayak | 01:00:57 | |
ANA Star Wars
Happy birthday Airbus App in the Air Kayak Snap McKinsey's future of travel Facebook and the future of travel | McKinsey & Company Post-booking price checking app The miles addiction Turning an airplane ZRH gets a lots of Qatari jets
Delta CEO is person of the year
No more hover boards
BA goes reward flight on iOS Why does British Airways avoid French airspace?
New LHR approach over continental Europe
Did Malaysian really fly in the wrong direction?
Beacons arrive at MUC Airports hit record PAX numbers
Virgin Atlantic gets creative for its financing Virgin America gets new Airbus planes Mistubishi delays aircraft CityJet orders more SuperJets
The CS100 get the greenlight The future of Sharm el-Sheikh is uncertain A real fake bomb freaks Air France and the rest of us
How many coach seats can you cram in a plane?
Flying without ID? It's possible in the US De-icing equipment has a tendency to hit stuff
Ranking bad in-flight services Skift's 2015 brand valuations Getting out in style? Use a ladder
The US will fly to Cuba NCE
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17 Jan 2016 | 032 OSL - Air France last 747, Qatar Airways entertaining CEO, drone avoidance technology | 01:03:06 | |
SAS Estonian Air suffers Airbus financial results
Al Baker is the most entertaining man in aviation
United needs to come around Etihad will finally deliver in the US
The ME3 in the US Air France says adieu to last 747
Largest operators of aircrafts Will commercial aircrafts be piloted by only one person?
Still no sign of the MH370 Flying with the door open? Animals creating chaoes
2015 was really safe
Long haul low cost to/from the US An app to sawp seats Uber to enter the travel planning game? That crazy concept might be more real than we thought A carry-on that follow you every step of the way New airport expansions set to open
OSL — | |||
03 Feb 2016 | 033 HND - Comparing JAL and ANA, not so smart carry-ons, new IranAir deal, best Star Alliance seat | 01:06:35 | |
Alex and Paul report on their trips
ANA and JAL profits Airbus sells A380s and more
EK 2016 orders TAP and Azul share new interiors Boeing announces earnings and flies its new 737
The Swiss Laubehorn race in 360 Wifi in the air
The longest commercial flihgts in the world
Those pesky fees won't come down
Smart carry-on absolute fail
The travel planning apps contest update Intelligent bidding and booking apps
Has the Internet made air travel irrelevant? When low cost is really low cost
Etihad
Terror or not? Crew fights in the air Sonic booms
A new kind of therapy pet HND — | |||
15 Feb 2016 | 034 MAN - Turkish and Batman, new OK Go video, China blacklists, JetBlue, fuel surcharge | 01:02:54 | |
Paul reports on his Athens trip with Aegean & Alex talks about his quest for an Asia-bound ticket from London The 2015 air travel stats JetBlue goes VC
Expedia, Google and the future of OTAs
Startups and plane routes Somalia terror attack
Turkish & Batman & Superman PDX's movie theatre Emirates goes drone for its latest marketing campaign OK Go in zero gravity
A smartphone-controlled IFE BA forced to enter the 21st century Korean Air pilots bargain hard China cracks down on unruly passengers The 747 can't die
Omega Tau talks NASA 747 Delta's CEO retires
BA will fly to Iran The real fuel surcharge cost
NASA revives the X-plane program A new Russian competitor to the 737 and 320? MAN — | |||
08 Mar 2016 | 035 OAK - Rimowa electronic tag, gettind rid of the A340s, American fights Gogo, banning calls | 01:00:07 | |
Layovers is 27th on 100 most interesting podcasts Aegean isn't as good a status fast track as it used to be OK Go's Reddit IAmA With Husband in Tow's podcast
AA's app Somalia's attack has been claimed MAN gets mega budget to evolve AA meets Uber
AA sues Gogo In-flight Wifi advertising Banning calls in the air? Qantas' Tech Talks
TSA Pre-Check extension Privatizing the US skies
US Airports order AirGrub for food delivery MIA's app integreates beacons UA introduces 3-class on domestic trunk routes All you can eat flying Re-inventing the luggage tag Al Baker strikes again Singapore Air Show
ANA goes First on A380 The A340 is ditches left and right
LH can't seem to delivery on its new strategy A Die Hard scenario What if a pilot dies? Jet lag and timezones
A very quick way to learn to fly Bombardier suffers Lucy in the skies for a lot of money DXB expands Best airports to sleep, 2015 OAK — | |||
20 Mar 2016 | 036 KEF - Bizarre Delta ads, EU fed up with US on Norwegian, a flaw in TSA Pre | 00:56:32 | |
Alex narrates his LHR-JFK-BOS experiences
Some Americans will need a passport to fly domestic Paul narrates his LHR-GVA experience
Automated check-in for everyone by the Lufhtansa Innovation Hub Another German Innovation Hub Paul narrates his LGW-KEF experience
The everywhere security future Shout outs
MAN asks for tax reprieve The strange AA versus Gogo lawsuit
The in-flight roaming market Munoz is back at United!!
The EU wants the US to stop stalling Norwegian
A new EU alliance The Amazon fleet Tracking luggage
Samsonite aquires Tumi MH370: two years on
The lasr minutes of the GermanWings flight Which airlines get love/hate on social media The A350 promise
SWISS's new 777 The bizarre Delta ads
The Freddie Awards KEF
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01 Apr 2016 | 037 LCA - Airbus Airspace, Boom, 777 saves the UK, a kinder Ryanair, Iron Maiden 747 | 00:57:24 | |
The EgyptAir hikacking Terror at BRU Smart security Pre or not Pre The greatest review ever of Layovers Virgin America is for sale
Virgin Australia loses Air New Zealand Virgin Atlantic going low cosst? The new Airbus experience A split level A350? The mile-high clubs Tinder for airports?! Ryanair switches strategy WOW the low cost disruptor A french long haul low cost Qatar eyes low cost in India Royal Brunei The great UK panic A new age in supersonic travel? Pilots rank the worst airports The Fly Dubai crash The Germanwings crash sparks mental health debate The Iron Maiden 747
Happy anniversaries, ANA!
The ULL race
Mapping what's below you A new 5th freedom route in Europe? LCA — | |||
20 Apr 2016 | 038 BOS - Behind Virgin America and its death, TSA, KLM Facebook Messenger, Tesla races 737 | 00:56:00 | |
The death of Virgin America
The 747 lives to see another day
Shoutouts
KLM expands Messenger initiative AF KLM CEO leaves for IATA US Congreas refuses to legislate on legroom The state of air travel Passengers rights in the EU almost impound a plane! Missiles on a commercial jetliner... Yet another smart luggage A tracker with a twist Facepalm for the TSA
A smart… pillow?? A 737 races a Tesla BOS — | |||
08 May 2016 | 039 DME - Throne seat, Wow Air Snapchat, Solar Impulse, Malaysian loses CEO, US consolidation | 01:00:18 | |
Congrats Solar Impulse! Virgin America
WOW Air wants you to Snapchat US consolidation FlyerRights responds to our 038 leg room story
Alex flies Emirates Business Class and more TripIt half-repaints its website Seats, seats and more seats
Another smart carry-on David Verch tells us all about LugLoc Amber and Eric mention us one more time! We're on iTunes, give us a review, pretty please :-) A new Matrix ITA guide Drones are made out of plastic too, you know
Mueller leaves Malaysian DME — | |||
25 May 2016 | 040 LHR — Mark Vanhoenacker, Skyfaring author, British Airways 747 pilot | 00:44:17 | |
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10 Jun 2016 | 041 SOF - Paul flies round the world in First, Qantas women uniforms, Ryanair new route model | 01:01:15 | |
Wifi chaos
Bourdain on plane food A new kind of alliance
Will Air France and Singapore enter an alliance too? China JetLovers 3D A new Ryanair era TSA is getting worse
Crazy plane furniture
Plane-influenced hotels
Airbus VC
Lufthansa car sharing Pilot assaulted SOF — | |||
10 Jul 2016 | 042 DOH - Flying Qatar A350, Tim Clark reality check, Hamad business class lounge, Singapore ULL | 01:02:17 | |
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01 Aug 2016 | 043 SJC - Brexit, Air Serbia and Etihad, heir to the throne at Emirates, US EU open skies, Iran 747 | 01:04:30 | |
Alex flies the 787 to SJC Iceland and the UEFA Euro Sully gets a trailer
The FAA rules on drones Brexit and the impact on UK air travel
Paul flies Easyjet from LGW
Solar Impulse
The solar-powered airport Boeing solar-powered plane NASA wants to learn from American Airlines Boeing Centennial More hopes for the 747
The EU-US Open Skies must go deeper Air Serbia launches new NY routs The US4 is losing its war against the ME3 Mueller goes to Emirates Emireates has a new 777 business seat Cobalt flies!
SWISS gets its new Bombardier
Paul meets Air New Zealand The EgyptAir crash The IST terror attack The husbands who ditch their spouse for business class The status game SJC — | |||
18 Aug 2016 | 044 PVG - Pokemon Go, Cathay Dragon, BA ex-BMI A321, new SWISS 777-300ER, motorized carry-on | 01:07:48 | |
Pokemon Go makes you do stupid things Carry-on might make you look like an idiot A beautiful AV Geek engagement Lufthansa sells seats on AirBnB
Mitsubishi also wants to enter Iran Air Astana wants the Embraer E2 Farnborough 2016
The end of the 747?
Alex flies Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon
Singapore Airlines in rough air
Air France sees more strikes Unlimited flights Paris/London - NY Game over for the US4 griefs (finally!)
The SkyTrax awards
Lots of words, almost no action for London airports
Drones
The photo app for BA pilots Paul experiences lie-flat seats in short haul flights
Review your flights on Tripadvisor The search for MH370 os almost over
The FlyDubai leaks
Solar Impulse ends its round the world jounrey
PVG — | |||
02 Oct 2016 | 045 FCO - Airbus flying taxis, augmented reality Emirates, Cebu Pacific million miles baby | 01:07:08 | |
Paul is on Aviation Xtended The US National Aviation Day Cranky Flyer celebrates in style How to be dumb in an airport The Emirates crash landing
The AR amenity kit Quantas soars Cebu Pacific's loyalty The state of US air travel
The JFK panic
Singapore Airlines celebrates Gold The BA Olympics plane, and the food uproar
Ranking food Virgin Atlantic adds live TV Boeing widebodies don't sell
Airbus widebodies go regional, and more
More smart carry-ons for Alex
FCO — | |||
11 Nov 2016 | 046 GVA - Tony Tyler, fmr IATA & Cathay Pacific CEO, aviation is a force for good | 00:47:54 | |
IATA GVA
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24 Jan 2017 | 047 JFK - Bye Virgin America, supersonic Boom, noise-cancelling headphone king, British Airways food | 01:01:44 | |
— | |||
11 Feb 2017 | 048 CPT - US Travel Ban, Norwegian Airlines, 737 MAX 8, Air Canada, Bombardier CS100 | 00:53:26 | |
00:00 - Introduction, Layovers reviews 02.51 - US Travel Ban
06:56 - US3 at the White House 07:56 New Emirates 5th freedom route, Delta
09:19 - Norwegian US announcements
12:05 - 737 MAX 8 for intercontinental routes
13:53 - Alex flies Thomas Cook to CPT 18:00 - American drops IFE screens 19:07 - Air Canada unveils new livery
23:06 - Etihad, its CEO and Lufthansa
25:45 - Emirates fleet change 2007-2017 26:28 - Lufthansa app, Worldmate, Google Trips, Tripit
28:20 - Paul crazy flights to MAD via ZRH and FRA 31:52 - More on travel planning apps 33:28 - MAD T2 and T3 34:08 - Paul tests the Bombardier CS100
36:18 - SWISS Fear of flying course 37:55 - Schengen area, Momondo, Skyscanner
39:26 - No wifi on Ryanair, BA Cityflyer, plane food
41:28 - Paul continues to ramble about his loved Sony MDR-1000X 42:36 - The must-have button on every IFE, Turkish interface 43:54 - Amazon, Superbowl, ATL drones, Airbus self-flying taxis
46:20 - Living in lounges 47:20 - Cape Town CPT airport 52:17 - Conclusion, next flights — | |||
23 Feb 2017 | 049 ORY - US border passwords, Breitling 777, Air Force One, United Polaris, Korean Air taser | 00:59:53 | |
00:00 - Introduction, feedback, reviews 05:43 - US border asking for passwords
11:08 - Air Force One 747-8 12:15 - Lufthansa 747-8, Fashion Week, 350-900, EU
15:16 - Lufthansa booking API, mystery bookings 19:05 - Jet Airways intercept over German airspace 20:55 - Boeing 787-10 rollout 23:15 - SWISS Breitling 777-300ER watch, Bremont 25:18 - Alternatives to Airbus and Boeing, A320
27:51 - United Polaris, Saks amenity kits
31:00 - Delta food, profit-sharing, Fortune ranking, pilot meltdown
33:45 - Alex BA compensation
36:55 - Korean Air taser *39:29 - Alcohol in the air, Qatar longest flight, BA baggage handlers *
43:08 - Nuts allergy pre-boarding
45:21 - Alex suprises his son with a flight to AMS on BA 48:57 - Dubai pilotless flying taxi, packing drones to travel 50:31 - The coat to replace your carry-on, Uber flying car, CPT Thunder City
53:06 - Paris-Orly ORY 59:00 - Conclusion, next flights — | |||
08 Mar 2017 | 050 NRT - The crazy story of Narita, Cathay Pacific Beer, 10 Cent Fares, Open Skies rift | 01:11:42 | |
00:00 - Introduction 01:24 - ANA 380, Special livery, Drone Inspection, JAL pilots
05:30 - Cathay Pacific Beer, bubbly in the air
08:32 - Air China Cathay Pacific merger rumor 10:54 - Aboslute low cost Spring Airlines, China strategy
14:55 - Qantas ultra long haul, ANA Mexico route
17:49 - Episode 049 feedback, reviews, chapters
21:41 - Aer Lingus, Norwegian, new US routes, Easyjet
25:28 - United, Munoz, 5th freedom routes, Open Skies debate
30:33 - New US travel ban, new TSA rules, EU travel ban
34:57 - Mouse ban, plane over-crowding
37:55 - Airmule, TripIt, Kayak, FlySMS, apps
42:50 - Paul flights, TripCase ADD, BA priority, Bluesmart ad, CS100 video 49:24 - AMS biometric boarding, Air France new low cost
52:55 - NRT, the extraordinary story of Narita — | |||
23 Mar 2017 | 051 DUS - Qatar suite, new A380, Worlds Best Airports, 737 MAX v 320neo, still no BER | 01:04:38 | |
00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - BER pushed back, Berlin strikes, Layovers hiatus
03:33 - New QR business seat
06:37 - World's worst airports
08:28 - SkyTrax Best Airports, Terminals, Food, etc. 14:35 - CPT, Attache and taxis versus Uber 15:52 - US infrastructure, world busiest airports
17:18 - LH future business class, 350, CX 777 premium economy
20:20 - SWISS engine change in the cold 23:13 - Cathay on-demand food, operating losses
27:28 - ME3 slower growth, QR Indian carrier, United against Emirates
31:31 - New A380
32:54 - Blanket rage, cash in the plane
34:40 - QR, Airbus NEOs, Boeing MAX, JetBlue, 777 glut
40:22 - 797, LX CS300
43:41 - New Cyprus Airways, low WestJet
46:37 - Harrison Ford, Prepare for Impact app, Alitalia 8 Harrison Ford flies aircraft close to passenger plane – video | Film | The Guardian
49:31 - US Travel Ban, US domestic IDs, EK US bookings
52:00 - Exploding headphones, Layovers 050 feedback, AVTalk
57:17 - Listen to the Clouds, SFO observation deck
58:38 - DUS — | |||
02 May 2017 | 052 ISG - United entitlement, electronics ban, ANA Star Wars 787, Level, Finnair 350 | 01:18:59 | |
00:00 - Introduction, latest travels 02:54 - Trillions in the sky 03:56 - Alex discovers the AY 350, new LHR CX lounge
09:14 - Paul flies BA business, First Wing, Iberia
19:56 - Qatar consolidates its UI, BA timeline view
21:55 - United re-accommodation, US airline market
38:40 - Electronics ban controversy 48:30 - Level, IAG strategy, M&S food, toilet roll
58:54 - Alitalia bankrupt, EY-EK rapprochement, LH Senator
1:03:06 - HackHorizon, hackathon in a plane 1:05:54 - ANA Star Wars 1:36:36 - ISG 1:17:04 - Next flights — | |||
11 May 2017 | 053 BUD - Hackathon in a plane, disruptive passengers, Cathay Pacific, ANA banana | 01:14:04 | |
00:00 - Introduction 01:58 - Disruptive passengers, Delta, social media 09:17 - United, conditions of carriage, culture 24:32 - Southwest kindness, Ryanair song
26:09 - LAX private terminal, ANA banana, C919
29:45 - Norwegian Germany, Alex's mom flies Norwegian 32:04 - LGW, e-gates 36:17 - Reviews 38.21 - Paul's crazy travel day, HEL, CDG
50:30 - Cathay Pacific, Betsy beer, The Pier 55:15 - HackHorizon, hackathon in a plane 1:07:25 - BUD 1:12:10 - Next flights — |